Top Themen Heute

Dr. Michelle Janas from GE
Healthcare Life Sciences recently swapped a lab coat for
legislation, when she visited Jenny Willott MP at the House of Commons
for a "Week in Westminster” as part of a unique ‘pairing’ scheme run by
the Royal
Society – the UK’s national academy of science.

Dr. Janas is a Lead Scientist at GE Healthcare’s laboratories in
Cardiff, Wales, where she is part of the team pioneering new
technologies for cell
therapy. During her visit, she shadowed Ms Willott MP to learn about
her work. She also attended a House of Commons Science and Technology
Committee meeting and Prime Minister’s Question Time, and met with
Professor Sir John Beddington, Government Chief Scientific Advisor. The
visit provided Dr. Janas with a behind-the-scenes insight into how
science policy is formed as well as an understanding of the working life
of an MP. Under the pairing scheme, Ms Willott will make a reciprocal
visit to GE Healthcare.

Cell therapy, the use of cells to replace damaged tissue or treat
disease, has the potential to help millions of patients suffering from
life-threatening and life-limiting diseases like cancer and heart
disease. Very much at the cutting edge of medicine, the UK Government
recently announced a £50m investment into a new cell therapy technology
innovation centre. GE Healthcare has established a global Centre of
Excellence for Cell Technology Research at its facility in Cardiff,
Wales.

Dr. Janas said: "I believe scientists have a role to play in helping to
make innovations like cell therapy a reality through engagement with
politicians and policy makers. It is exciting to be sharing my
scientific experience with Ms Willott MP and I’m keen to further my
understanding of how science policy is developed and communicated to the
wider community.”

Jenny Willott MP said: "From participating in the scheme before, I know
how rewarding and helpful it is to gain a different perspective. I look
forward to learning about Dr. Janas’ work on cell therapy at her lab in
Cardiff. I hope I will get a better understanding of how politics and
research together can realise the potential of these new technologies to
bring real benefits to patients.”

Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society said: "We live in a world
facing increasing challenges that can only be addressed with a clear
understanding of science. From climate change to influenza outbreaks, GM
food to nuclear power, our MPs have to make decisions about complex
issues that will affect the lives of all those in the UK and, in many
cases, more widely throughout the world. This means that MPs and
scientists have a responsibility to engage with each other to get the
best possible scientific advice into public policy making.”

The Royal Society’s MP-Scientist pairing scheme aims to build bridges
between parliamentarians and some of the best scientists in the UK. It
is an opportunity for MPs to become better informed about science issues
and for scientists to understand how they can influence science policy.
Over 200 pairs of scientists and MPs have taken part in the scheme since
it was launched in 2001.

About GE Healthcare

GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies and
services that are shaping a new age of patient care. Our broad expertise
in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics,
patient monitoring systems, drug discovery, biopharmaceutical
manufacturing technologies, performance improvement and performance
solutions services help our customers to deliver better care to more
people around the world at a lower cost. In addition, we partner with
healthcare leaders, striving to leverage the global policy change
necessary to implement a successful shift to sustainable healthcare
systems. Our "healthymagination” vision for the future invites the world
to join us on our journey as we continuously develop innovations focused
on reducing costs, increasing access and improving quality around the
world. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, GE Healthcare is a unit of
General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). Worldwide, GE Healthcare employees
are committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in
more than 100 countries. For more information about GE Healthcare, visit
our website at www.gehealthcare.com.

About The Royal Society

The Royal Society is the UK’s national academy of science. Founded in
1660, the Society has three roles, as a provider of independent
scientific advice, as a learned Society, and as a funding agency. Our
expertise is embodied in the Fellowship, which is made up of the finest
scientists from the UK and beyond. Our goals are to:

Invest in future scientific leaders and in innovation

Influence policymaking with the best scientific advice

Invigorate science and mathematics education

Increase access to the best science internationally

Inspire an interest in the joy, wonder and excitement of scientific
discovery

For further information please visit http://royalsociety.org.
Follow the Royal Society on Twitter at http://twitter.com/royalsociety
or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/theroyalsociety.